Transport device of the noria type

Abstract

The transport device of the noria type includes a drive chain having links and being wound around two deflection wheels so as to describe a loop circuit. There is a first, ascending vertical chain strand and a second, descending vertical chain strand. One link of the chain holds a support arm extending in a direction perpendicular to the chain. The support arm is attached laterally to a link by a mount. The mount has a support surface at each of its ends. At least across one of these support surfaces, the mount rests on another, contiguous mount of another support arm attached to another link of the chain, on the ascending strand and descending strand.

I claim: 
     
       1. A transport device of the noria type, comprising:
 at least one drive chain having links and being wound at least around two deflection wheels so as to define a loop circuit, said loop circuit comprising at least a first, ascending vertical chain strand, and a second, descending vertical chain strand; and 
 a support arm held by at least one link of the chain, said support arm extending in a direction both perpendicular to the chain and to axes ( 30 ) of the links, 
 wherein said support arm is attached laterally on a link by at least one mount, each mount being comprised of ends, each end having at least one support surface in a travel direction of the chain, 
 wherein said mount rests on another contiguous mount at least across one of the support surfaces, said another contiguous mount of another support arm attaching to another link of the chain, on the ascending and descending strands of the chain, each mount having an alignment surface on each end for said support arm in a plane along said direction, each alignment surface cooperating with another alignment surface of said another mount, at least at the ascending and descending strands, each alignment surface extending vertically, arranged at least partially in a thickness of said mount, and 
 wherein said alignment surface is arranged by an indentation in a thickness of a body of the mount, at each of its upper and lower rims. 
 
     
     
       2. The transport device according to  claim 1 , wherein each support surface extends horizontally toward a direction opposite said link, at least over part of a rim of its end. 
     
     
       3. The transport device, according to  claim 1 , wherein each mount comprises, at least at one end situated in the travel direction of the chain, a bevel ensuring introduction of said mount within one of a group consisting of: support surfaces and alignment surfaces of another contiguous mount. 
     
     
       4. The transport device, according to  claim 1 , wherein, starting from alignment position of two links, the device comprises means for blocking a pivoting of said two contiguous links, in a direction opposite a winding direction of the chain. 
     
     
       5. The transport device, according to  claim 4 , wherein said means for blocking comprise at least one stop secured to each link against which at least one stop surface is provided inside a mount becoming blocked. 
     
     
       6. The transport device, according to  claim 5 , wherein said blocking means comprise a single stop secured to each link, said single stop being comprised of a pin protruding laterally, against which the stop surfaces provided inside two contiguous mounts are blocked. 
     
     
       7. The transport device, according to  claim 4 , wherein said blocking means are made up of a stop surface provided at each end of a mount, said stop surface cooperating with another stop surface of another contiguous mount. 
     
     
       8. The transport device, according to  claim 4 , wherein said blocking means comprises: a stop rim with which each mount is outwardly provided over part of its height, said stop rim bearing against an outer face of the link secured to said mount.